Expert: Jeff Grigg - 2/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Jeff,
Just bought a small outboard (Honda BF5A 5 horsepower 4 stroke) to power my sailboat, looking for advice. First, what about adding stabilizer to the fuel supply(sometimes it sits for a while), does this damage the engine?  Second, someone once told me to diconnect the fuel supply while running the engine and let it burn all the fuel out of the engine if you know its goiong to sit for a week or more, is this good or bad?
Thanks in advance,
Brad

ANSWER: A fuel stabilizer is always a good idea. On a 4 stroke it is a good idea to run the fuel out of the carb. I prefer to do it manually by draining the carb, but some carbs do not have a drain screw on the bottom of the carb. Drain it into a paper towel and dispose of properly, not into the water.
I don't recommend running the engine dry on a two stroke motor.
Jeff

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the advice Jeff.
One other problem I'm having is the motor only runs at higher speed, it cuts out when I get down to the lower end of the throttle(a must when docking as I'm sure you know!). Is there an idle screw that can be cranked up to remedy the problem. I just had it serviced and the mechanic told it ran perfect, which it did for the first couple days, now it just won't run or even idle at lower speed. Any help much appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Brad

Answer
You may have some trash in the carb or your carb just need some tweaking. There is an idle mixture and an idle speed screw. Have the technician show you the screws and how to adjust them. Or buy a service manual, aftermarket is fine and it will have all of that information in there.
Jeff